The A Level Latin course is an intriguing mixture of language and literature.  Students have the opportunity of studying a wide range of texts, philosophical and historical, poetry and prose.  The literature which has so influenced western thought and culture is explored at source, in the original language, for which there is no substitute.  Fascinating in their own right for the insight they provide into a lost world, their reception today is equally important and the ability to make the connection between the two worlds is one of the most illuminating and exciting aspects of the subject.

The language element demands a clarity of thought and understanding which directly affects the way in which a student approaches all her work.  It trains the mind in a unique way which improves the ability to think analytically about the written word and which explains the fondness of employers for those who have a background in classical languages.

The outstandingly long list of those former pupils who have chosen to continue their study of Classics at university (often at Oxford or Cambridge) is testament to the subject’s special fascination.  The ease with which those pupils have found employment on graduation (in law, journalism and business, for example, as well as academia and teaching) is testament to the training which it provides.  Results are excellent, with the majority achieving A Grade and as at GCSE, one of our former pupils was judged in the top five students nationally.  It is the aim of the Department that every student, on completion of this exciting course, should feel that she has had a rare and wonderful experience (since it is not available to all and is so entirely absorbing), both in and out of the classroom.